Sufficient Encouragement: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (When Love Blooms Book 1) by Rose Fairbanks & a Lady

Author:Rose Fairbanks & a Lady
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: General Fiction
Publisher: Rose Fairbanks
Published: 2016-04-19T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

It had been over a fortnight since Wickham had last entered Longbourn’s environs. However, Denny frequently visited with Carter and Saunderson, and things were going just as he hoped. Meeting Darcy and Eliza by chance on the street the day before proved that Darcy’s intentions towards Eliza were progressing as well. Curiously enough, Darcy did not seem threatened by his presence. He patently disliked seeing him, but Darcy showed no signs of insecurity of the lady’s regard. Even more curious, he was no longer hiding his affection for the woman. It appeared Darcy’s brief return to London had illuminated his mind to the treasure Eliza truly was. If he was honest with himself, the distance from her had increased his own attraction as well.

“My congratulations,” he said to her once he was afforded a moment of privacy.

She nervously looked around the room. “What do you mean, sir?”

“Your aunt Phillips has regaled the area with news of Mr. Bingley’s courtship of your eldest sister.”

She smiled, and he was drawn to the shape of her mouth. Had Darcy tasted those smooth lips yet? “Thank you! I am quite happy for her! But you had best give them to her rather than me.”

“You are the one who did the hard work in cultivating a friendship with Darcy. You clearly reversed his opinion of the acceptability of a match with your family.”

Eliza shook her head. “You make it sound as though I have purchased Jane’s security by drawing Mr. Darcy in.”

“I would never accuse you of such an art,” he said with a wink, which she did not see.

“I am glad you accepted my mother’s invitation tonight. I had hoped to ask you if you knew Lord Arlington at all.”

“You are quite the astute observer, Miss Eliza.” He took a sip of wine to allow time to form a credible lie in his mind. “I gather you do not know much about Darcy’s family, although you have clearly met his sister.”

“I have also met Lord Arlington on a number of occasions now. He seems a very amiable gentleman.”

“That does not surprise me. He can please where he wants. The Darcy family, as I have said before, are everything generous and kind. The fact is, Darcy’s aristocratic relatives never forgave his mother, Lady Anne, for marrying an untitled man. I know it weighed on his father’s mind, and that is one reason why Darcy’s other cousin was named co-guardian of Miss Darcy.”

“Not the viscount?”

Wickham shook his head. “I am afraid by that point the viscount had a very bad reputation. The elder Mr. Darcy had always demanded propriety be strictly observed by his family, a standard adopted by his son. However, his titled relations are very influential in society. If he thought he may need additional clout in the future, it would make sense for Darcy to reach out to Lord Arlington despite having previously shunned him.”

Eliza furrowed her brows. “But it seemed his lordship knew you particularly and that Mr. Darcy was not pleased with his reaction to you.

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